A
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking
the re-framing of guidelines for coaching institutes, with a particular focus
on criminal liability. The PIL calls for stricter regulations and
accountability measures to address issues such as fraud, exploitation, and
safety concerns within these institutions.
The
petition requests the court to mandate that the Centre and Delhi Government
establish specific rules and regulations for the operation of paying guest
accommodations for students, both in Delhi and nationwide, ensuring that these
accommodations are safe, regulated, and suitable for students.
The
plea also advocates for the development of an education system focused on the
holistic development and refinement of students' minds, rather than solely
preparing them for entrance examinations. The objective is to shift the
emphasis towards broader educational goals and personal growth.
The
plea asserts that the respondents have failed to ensure adequate, safe, and
affordable housing facilities for students and young aspirants in Delhi. This
neglect has negatively impacted their overall personality development and
ability to lead dignified and prosperous lives.
According
to the plea, the current education system prioritizes entrance examination
success over the holistic refinement of students' minds, resulting in a decline
in the quality of education in schools and colleges and an increased reliance
on coaching institutes. The plea, filed through Advocate Rudra Vikram Singh, highlights
these concerns.
The pervasive coaching
culture has led students to invest heavily in preparation for various entrance
exams. The exploitation by coaching institutes and PG accommodation providers,
who charge exorbitant fees, has exacerbated the issue. The tragic incident in
Rajendra Nagar, Delhi, where three students died due to negligence by a
coaching institute, has underscored the dire conditions of PG accommodations.
The
plea seeks to address these failures by urging the court to enforce regulations
that ensure better living conditions for students and reform the education
system to focus on comprehensive development rather than mere examination
success.
The
petition was filed by the NGO Kutumb, which recently brought attention to the
tragic deaths of UPSC aspirants in Delhi's Rajinder Nagar. Kutumb had
previously called for the formation of a high-level expert committee to address
concerns related to such incidents.
This
new petition builds on their earlier advocacy by seeking enhanced regulations
for coaching institutes and paying guest accommodations, as well as reforms in
the education system to ensure student well-being and comprehensive
development.
For
years, coaching institutes and paying guest (PG) accommodation owners have been
exploiting students, with insufficient government action to address these
issues. Following a fire incident in Mukherjee Nagar last year, the Union of
India issued guidelines urging all states and Union Territories (UTs) to
regulate coaching institutes through a legal framework. These guidelines aim to
enhance student safety, security, and prevent exploitation. However, the
petition argues that these measures are still inadequate and calls for more
effective enforcement and comprehensive regulations.